Extendable bin sweep

ABSTRACT

A bin sweep comprising a first auger section configured to be movably mounted to a central support framework of a storage bin, and a second auger section operably engaged with the first auger frame such that the second auger section is moveable relative to the first section frame substantially along an axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/162,365, filed on Mar. 23, 2009;and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/263,586, filed on Nov.23, 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to storage bins, such as agriculturalstorage bins for storing grains and other commodities. In particular,the present disclosure is directed to bin sweeps for use in storagebins.

Storage bins for grain and other commodities, such as salt, fertilizer,and the like, are used in a variety of agricultural and industrialapplications. Such bins often have circular footprints, and thus aregenerally cylindrical in shape, but other bin footprints are alsoemployed. It is known for cylindrical grain bins to have a bin clean-outsystem including an in-floor auger with a central inlet and an outletoutside of the bin. A bin sweep is typically connected to the in-floorauger so that as the bin sweep passes through the grain bin, grain isdriven toward the inlet of the in-floor auger to be removed from thegrain bin.

Some grain bins are quite large in diameter. Because of the largedistances between opposing bin walls, such large grain bins may includeone or more tower structures or uprights disposed in the center of thegrain bin to support the roof of the grain bin. However, such towerstructures effectively prevent bin sweeps from being mounted on singlecentral pivot axes because the tower structure would interfere withmovement of the grain sweep. Additionally, the large dimensions of suchgrain bins may require multiple passes to drain the stored grains inorder to maintain the structural integrity of the walls of the largegrain bins.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a bin sweep thatincludes a first auger section configured to be movably mounted to acentral support framework of a storage bin, and a second auger sectionoperably engaged with the first auger frame such that the second augersection is moveable relative to the first section frame substantiallyalong an axis. The bin sweep also includes a mechanism secured to thefirst auger section and configured to direct the movement of the secondauger section relative to the first auger section.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a bin sweep thatincludes a first section frame having a first end and a second end,where the first end of the first section frame is configured to bemovably mounted to a central support framework a storage bin. The binsweep also includes a first auger rotatably supported by the firstsection frame, a track operably secured to the first section frame, asecond section frame having a first end and a second end, and a secondauger rotatably supported by the second section frame. The bind sweepfurther includes a guide sleeve operably secured to the second sectionframe and engaged with the track to restrict movement of the secondsection frame relative to the first section frame to directions that aresubstantially along an axis. The bin sweep even further includes a drivemotor operably mounted to at least one of the first section frame andthe second section frame, where the drive motor is configured to directthe movement of the second section frame relative to the first sectionframe.

A further aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method for sweepinga storage bin. The method includes rotating a first auger supported by afirst section frame of a bin sweep, and rotating a second auger supportby a second section frame of the bin sweep, where the second sectionframe is operably engaged with the first section frame. The method alsoincludes moving the first section frame relative to a central supportframework of the storage bin to cover a first footprint of the storagebin, and extending the second section frame relative to the firstsection frame substantially along an axis. The method further includesmoving the first section frame relative to the central support frameworkto sweep a second footprint of the storage bin after extending thesecond section frame, where the second footprint has a greater area thanthe first footprint.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, is not intended todescribe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of theclaimed subject matter, and is not intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other noveladvantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as thisdescription proceeds. The figures and the description that follow moreparticularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed subject matter will be further explained with reference tothe attached figures, wherein like structure is referred to by likereference numerals throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extendable bin sweep of the presentdisclosure in use with a grain bin.

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the extendable bin sweep in use witha central support framework of the grain bin, where an outer section ofthe extendable bin sweep is in a retracted state relative to an innersection of the extendable bin sweep.

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the extendable bin sweep in use withthe central support framework, where the outer section is partiallyextended relative to the inner section.

FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the extendable bin sweep in use withthe central support framework, where the outer section is fully extendedrelative to the inner section.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view in use with the central support framework,where the outer section is in the retracted state relative to the innersection.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view in use with the central support framework,where the outer section is fully extended relative to the inner section.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the inner section of the extendable binsweep.

FIG. 8 is an expanded view of section 8 taken in FIG. 7, illustrating anengagement mechanism for movably mounting the inner section to a guideof the central support framework.

FIG. 9 is an expanded view of section 9 taken in FIG. 7, illustrating atrack of the inner section.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the outer section of the extendablesweep.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the engagement between a guide sleeve ofthe outer section and the track of the inner section.

FIG. 12 is an expanded view of the engagement between the guide sleeveof the outer section and the track of the inner section, where the outersection is fully extended relative to an inner section, as shown in FIG.6.

FIG. 13 is an expanded top elevational view of the engagement betweenthe guide sleeve of the outer section and the track of the innersection, where the outer section is fully extended relative to an innersection, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 14A is a schematic plan view of a first stage of a three-stage bincleaning protocol using the extendable bin sweep of the presentdisclosure, where the first stage covers about 270 degrees of rotationabout a bin floor of the grain bin.

FIG. 14B is a schematic plan view of a second stage of the three-stagebin cleaning protocol using the extendable bin sweep of the presentdisclosure, where the second stage covers about 90 degrees of rotationabout the bin floor.

FIG. 14C is a schematic plan view of a third stage of the three-stagebin cleaning protocol using the extendable bin sweep of the presentdisclosure, where the third stage covers a second revolution about thebin floor.

While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated,as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents thedisclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. Itshould be understood that numerous other modifications and embodimentscan be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scopeand spirit of the principles of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to an extendable bin sweep for use instorage bins, such as storage bins for grain and other commodities. Theextendable bin sweep includes inner and outer auger sections, where theouter auger section is configured to extend and retract relative to theinner auger section. As discussed below, this allows the extendable binsweep to pass over different areas or footprints within a storage binfor moving materials (e.g., grain).

As shown in FIG. 1, bin sweep 10 is mounted in grain bin 12, where binsweep 10 is an example of a suitable extendable bin sweep of the presentdisclosure. The following discussion of bin sweep 10 is made withreference to grain bin 12 for moving grain. However, extendable binsweeps of the present disclosure (e.g., bin sweep 10) may be used withstorage bins for a variety of commodities, such as grains, salt,fertilizer, and the like.

As shown, grain bin 12 includes bin wall 14, which offsets conical roof16 and bin floor 18. Bin wall 14 and bin floor 18 define a circularfloor geometry, where the dimensions of circular floor may extend tolarge surface areas. For example, grain bins, such as the “TITAN 1.1”grain bin from Chief Industries, Inc., Grand Island, Nebr., may exhibita diameter of over 47 meters (over 154 feet). Because of the largedistance between the opposing faces of bin wall 14, grain bin 12includes support framework 20, which in the shown embodiment, iscentrally located within bin wall 14. Support framework 20 includesuprights 22 and guide 24, where uprights are mounted to bin floor 18 andprovide overhead support for conical roof 16.

In the shown embodiment, guide 24 is a circular rail guide mounted aboutuprights 22 and is desirably fixed relative to bin floor 18. In thisembodiment, it is not possible to mount bin sweep 10 on a single centralpivot axis because uprights 22 would interfere with movement of binsweep 10. As such, bin sweep 10 may be movably mounted to guide 24 in amanner that allows bin sweep 10 to move around guide 24. Thisarrangement allows bin sweep 10 to move around grain bin 12 withoutrunning into uprights 22.

Grain bin 12 also includes central sump 26, which is centrally locatedwithin bin walls 14 and extends below bin floor 18. In the shownembodiment, central sump 26 is located circumferentially within uprights22 and guide 24, and provides a convenient location to receive grainfrom bin sweep 10. The grain received by central sump 26 may be movedoutside of grain bin 12 through in-floor shaft 28 with the use of anunder-floor conveying or reclaim system, which may include materialconveying components such as an auger, belt, paddle, gravity pit, airreclaim, or the like.

During a bin clean-out to remove grain from the chamber of grain bin 12(referred to as chamber 30), bin sweep 10 may move around guide 24 inone or more passes to drive the grain from chamber 30 toward centralsump 26. The grain that falls into central sump 26 may then betransported to an external location outside of grain bin 12 throughin-floor shaft 28. In some embodiments, in-floor shaft 28 may also beaccessible to chamber 30 via one or more additional inlets along binfloor 18 (e.g., inlet 32), where bin sweep 10 may also drive the graindirectly into in-floor shaft 28 via the inlet(s).

In order to maintain the structural integrity of bin walls 14, it may benecessary to drain the grain from chamber 30 in two or more passes,where a first pass may remove the grain from a central annular region ofchamber 30 (e.g., adjacent support framework 20), and a second pass mayremove the grain from an outer annular region of chamber 30 (e.g.,adjacent bin wall 14). To accomplish this, bin sweep 10 includes innersection 34 and outer section 36, where inner section 34 is a first augersection of bin sweep 10 that is moveably mounted to guide 24.

Outer section 36 is a second auger section of bin sweep 10 that isconfigured to move around chamber 30 with inner section 34, and isfurther configured to extend and retract relative to inner section 34.As such, when bin sweep 10 moves around guide 24 to remove the grainfrom the central annular region of chamber 30, outer section 36 may bein a retracted state relative to inner section 34. When the first passis complete, outer section 36 may then be partially or fully extendedrelative to inner section 34 to reach the grain located in the outerannular region of chamber 30 (e.g., adjacent to bin walls 14). Thisallows bin sweep 10 to pass over different areas or footprints withinchamber 30 in multiple passes for moving grain to central sump 26.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate outer section 36 in different positions relative toinner section 34, including a retracted state (FIG. 2), apartially-extended state (FIG. 3), and a fully extended state (FIG. 4).As shown in FIG. 2, inner section 34 includes inner end 38 and outer end40, where inner end 38 is the portion of inner section 34 that ismovably mounted to guide 28 in a manner that allows bin sweep 10 to movein an appropriate direction (for example, as shown by arrow 40) aboutcentral axis 42.

Structurally, inner section 34 includes auger 44 rotatably mounted belowsection frame 46. As used herein, the term “auger” refers to a mechanismfor moving a material, such as grain, and may include material conveyingcomponents such as an auger with flighting, a chain with paddles, abelt, a cleated belt, and the like. The axis of auger 44 extends alongthe longitudinal length of section frame 46 and is generally alignedalong a radial line relative to the central axis 42 as the bin sweep 10traverses bin floor 18.

Inner section 34 also includes auger motor 48 and extension driveassembly 50 mounted to section frame 46 at outer end 40, where augermotor 48 is operably connected to auger 44 below section frame 46 torotate auger 44 during operation. In an alternative embodiment, augermotor 48 may be located at inner end 38, thereby operably connecting tothe opposing end of auger 44 from that shown in FIG. 2.

Bin sweep 10 may be moved around chamber 30, such as in the direction ofarrow 40, by operation of one or more tractors, such as tractors 52 and54. Tractors 52 and 54 may each have an independently operable motor andone or more wheels that engage bin floor 18. Tractor 52 is mounted toinner section 34 proximate inner end 38, and tractor 54 is mounted toinner section 34 at outer end 40. In alternative embodiments, tractors52 and 54 may be mounted to a variety of different locations along innersection 34 and/or outer section 36.

Bin sweep 10 may be maintained relative to central axis 42 by analignment control system (not shown) operating in conjunction withtractor 52 and/or tractor 54. For example, sensors (e.g., mechanical,optical sensors, and the like, not shown) may continually detect whetherbin sweep 10 is skewed from radial lines extending from central axis 42.If a skew is detected, the alignment control system may then coordinateactivation of one or both of the motors on tractors 52 and 54 to realignbin sweep 10 to the radial lines of central axis 42. Ideally, the binsweep 10 rotates all the way around guide 24 while continuously alignedon radial lines extending from central axis 42.

As further shown in FIG. 2, outer section 36 includes inner end 56 andouter end 58, and includes a similar arrangement to inner section 36.Accordingly, outer section 36 includes auger 60 rotatably mounted belowsection frame 62, and auger motor 64 mounted to section frame 62 atinner end 56, where auger motor 64 is operably connected to auger 60 torotate auger 60 below section frame 62 during operation. In analternative embodiment, auger motor 64 may be located at outer end 58,thereby operably connecting to the opposing end of auger 60 from thatshown in FIG. 2. However, the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 allows augermotor 48, extension drive assembly 50, and auger motor 64 to remainrelatively close together when outer section 36 extends. This reducesthe complexity of the electrical lines required to operate auger motor48, extension drive assembly 50, and auger motor 64. Furthermore, augers44 and 60 may exhibit the same or similar dimensions, and may operate atthe same or different rotational speeds for driving grain to centralsump 26.

During operation, auger motor 48 rotates auger 44 and auger motor 64rotates auger 60. This allows augers 44 and 60 to drive grain fromchamber 30 toward central sump 26 for removal via in-floor shaft 28(shown in FIG. 1). Tractors 52 and 54 may also operate to move bin sweep10 around guide 28 in the direction of arrow 40, thereby allowing augers44 and 60 to drive the grain that is located within a central annularregion of chamber 30. As discussed above, to increase the footprintcovered by bin sweep 10, outer section 36 may be extended relative toinner section 34, which may occur while bin sweep 10 moves in thedirection of arrow 40, or while bin sweep 10 is stationary.

Outer section 36 also includes guide sleeve 66, which in the shownembodiment, extends from inner end 56 to proximate outer end 58. Asdiscussed below, extension drive assembly 50 is engaged with guidesleeve 66 to move guide sleeve 66 (and outer section 36) relative toinner section 34, along an axis that is parallel or substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal length of inner section 34 (referred to asaxis 68). As shown in FIG. 2, while outer section 36 is full retracted,extension drive assembly 50 may extend outer section 36 along axis 68 inthe direction of arrow 70 to increase the footprint that bin sweep 10 iscapable of covering.

As shown in FIG. 3, as extension drive assembly 50 moves outer section36 along axis 68 in the direction of arrow 70, the movement of guidesleeve 66 relative to inner section 32 exposes track 72. Track 72 ismounted to section frame 46 of inner section 34. As discussed below,track 72 restricts the range of movement of guide sleeve 66, andtherefore, of outer section 36, to directions along axis 68. As such,guide sleeve 66 and track 72 define a range of motion for outer section36 relative to inner section 34 that is parallel or substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal length of inner section 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, as extension drive assembly 50 continues to moveouter section 36 along axis 68, the movement of guide sleeve 66 relativeto inner section 32 further exposes track 72 until outer section 36 isfully extended relative to inner section 34, as shown. In this extendedstate, bin sweep 10 may then cover a greater footprint of bin floor 18compared to the footprints attainable with bin sweep 10 in the retractedstate or in the partially-extended state.

When desired, such as when the bin clean-out is completed, extensiondrive assembly 50 may then retract outer section 36 along axis 68 in thedirection of arrow 73 to reduce the footprint of bin sweep 10. Extensiondrive assembly 50 may continue to retract outer section 36 until outersection 36 is partially extended (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3) and/or untilouter section 36 is fully retracted (as shown in FIG. 2).

Bin sweep 10 may be operated in several alternative manners to drivegrain to central sump 26. For instance, bin sweep 10 may pass throughthe grain in chamber 30 in different extension orientations at differentstages, including multiple passes through chamber 30. In one embodiment,bin sweep 10 is rotated approximately 360° about central axis 42 in itsretracted configuration (as shown in FIG. 2). Extension drive assembly50 may then be activated to extend outer section 36 in the direction ofarrow 70 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) and bin sweep 10 may make a secondpass through the grain bin of approximately 360° to pick up additionalgrain adjacent to bin wall 14. During all passes through chamber 30,augers 44 and 60 may be driven by their respective auger motors 50 and68, and the alignment system may be operative to maintain bin sweep 10in a generally radial alignment relative to central axis 42. Operationof the various motors and sensors for bin sweep 10 may be controlled byone or more microprocessors which are desirably programmed to facilitateoperation and management of bin sweep 10 in an efficient manner, and asdesired by a grain bin clean-out operator.

In one embodiment, the motors on the bin sweep 30 are electrical, andthus may be coupled, adjacent an inner end 38 of the inner section 34 toa source of power and operational control. Because of possibleinterference caused by the uprights 22 of the support framework 20 withthe wiring for the motors and/or sensors, it may be necessary after eachrotation of bin sweep 10 around central axis 42 to have an operatorenter grain bin 12. That operator can then disconnect the wires or otherconnections, reroute them to bin sweep 10 to free them from clearance ofsupport framework 20 and reconnect them to allow a second revolution ofbin sweep 10 about the central axis 42. This is the only humanintervention normally required within grain bin 12 for operation of binsweep 10.

In some embodiments, the wires and connections may be of a form wherehuman intervention is further minimized (such as wires long enough toallow two rotations or bin sweep passes, or of a form which would allowthe transfer of power (and/or operational instructions or sensorreadings) continuously, without disconnection, between bin sweep 10 andguide 28). In addition, the motors on bin sweep 10 may be hydraulic orsome other suitable motive means, or a combination of motive means, suchas a combination of electric and hydraulic motors.

FIGS. 5 and 6 further illustrate bin sweep 10 in the retracted andfully-extended states, respectively. Once grain bin 12 has been emptiedof grain, bin sweep 10 may be positioned for reuse for that occasionwhen grain bin 12 will be refilled with grain. To position bin sweep 10in an empty grain bin 12 for reuse, tractors 52 and 54 of bin sweep 10may be activated to park bin sweep 10 over inlet 32 (shown in FIG. 1).Grain bin 12 is then ready to receive grain again. Once more grain hasbeen disposed in chamber 30 of grain bin 12, the bin sweep 30 is thusalready efficiently positioned for grain removal. In this regard, whengrain is to be removed from chamber 30, central sump 26 may be opened,which allows grain to drop by gravity into engagement with the in-floorauger of grain bin 12 at in-floor shaft 28.

Inlet 32 may also be opened to further release grain by gravity intoengagement with in-floor shaft 28. Once grain no longer exits the grainbin via natural gravity forces simply by opening these sumps, augermotors 48 and 64 on bin sweep 10 maybe activated to rotate the flightingof the augers 44 and 66 to further drive grain toward central sumps 26and/or inlet 32. Eventually, the tractors 52 and 54 may be activated onbin sweep 10 to cause bin sweep 10 to move across the bin floor 18 toactively engage and direct grain from chamber 30 toward central sump 26and/or inlet 32. As discussed above, operation of bin sweep 10 may beperformed in one or multiple passes, with the extension of outer section36 relative to its inner section 34 happening at the discretion of anoperator, or via a preprogrammed operational protocol.

FIGS. 7-9 further illustrate inner section 34 of bin sweep 10, whereouter section 36 is omitted for ease of discussion. As shown in FIG. 7,inner section 34 also includes engagement mechanism 74 at inner end 38,where engagement mechanism 74 is an example of a suitable mechanism formovably engaging inner section 34 to guide 28.

As shown in FIG. 8, engagement mechanism 74 includes bearing bracket 76secured to section frame 46 at inner end 38. Bearing bracket 76 extendsaround guide 28 in an inverted U-shape arrangement and includes a pairof rollers that engage with guide 28. As shown, guide 28 includeschannel 78 on its outer face, which the reciprocating roller of bearingbracket 76 engages for restricting the movement of bin sweep 10 todirections in the horizontal plane around guide 28. Engagement mechanism74 allows bin sweep 10 to move around chamber 30, while also preventingbin sweep 10 from colliding with uprights 22.

In an alternative embodiment, engagement mechanism 74 may engage withguide 28 with a traction-wheel engagement. For example, guide 28 maytake the form of a rack, and engagement mechanism 74 may include atraction wheel that functions as a motorized pinion, thereby providing a“rack and pinion” connection with the rack of guide 28. Rotation ofpinion would thus cause movement of bin sweep 10 relative to the rack ofguide 28. Such an arrangement may take the place of, or be in additionto the use of tractors 52 and 54.

As further shown in FIG. 8, inner section 34 also includes support brace79, which, in the shown embodiment, is mounted to section frame 46 atinner end 38 and extends around auger 44 with a bearing assembly. Thisallows the inner end of auger 44 to be rotatably supported by sectionframe 46.

As shown in FIG. 9, track 72 is fixedly secured to section frame 46 andextends inward along section frame 46 from outer end 38. Track 72includes top rail 80 and bottom rail 82 offset by back plate 84, wheretop rail 74 includes roller assemblies 86, and bottom rail 82 includesroller assemblies 88 and 90. As discussed below, roller assemblies 86and 88 are bearing roller assemblies configured to restrict thehorizontal range of motion of guide sleeve 66 (shown in FIGS. 2-6),while also allowing guide sleeve 66 to move along axis 68. Additionally,roller assemblies 90 are bearing roller assemblies configured torestrict the vertical range of motion of guide sleeve 66, while alsoallowing guide sleeve 66 to move along axis 68.

As further shown in FIG. 9, extension drive assembly 50 includes drivemotor 92 and gear 94, where gear 94 is operably connected to drive motor92 for rotating gear 94. As discussed below, gear 94 is configured toengage a reciprocating gear track (not shown) that extends along guidesleeve 66. This arrangement allows gear 66 to move guide sleeve 66 underthe rotational power of drive motor 92 to extend and retract outersection 36 along axis 68.

FIG. 10 illustrates outer section 36. As shown, guide sleeve 66 isfixedly secured to a back side of section frame 62 of outer section 36in a manner that allows guide sleeve 66 to engage with roller assemblies86, 88, and 90 of track 72 (shown in FIG. 9). Outer section 36 alsoincludes support braces (not shown) mounted to section frame 62 at outerend 58 and extends around auger 60 with a bearing assembly. This allowsthe outer end of auger 60 to be rotatably supported by section frame 62.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the engagement between guide sleeve 66 andtrack 72. As shown in FIG. 11, guide sleeve 66 has dimensions thatdefine upper sleeve 95 and lower sleeve 96. In particular, upper sleeve95 is defined by top rim 98, rear tab 100, front wall 102, andintermediate rim 104. Similarly, lower sleeve 96 is defined byintermediate rim 104, rear tab 106, front wall 108, and bottom rim 110.Lower sleeve 96 is configured to slide around roller assemblies 88 and90 of bottom rail 82, where roller assemblies 88 restrict movement ofguide sleeve 66 in the horizontal direction, and roller assemblies 90restrict movement of guide sleeve 66 in the vertical direction.Additionally, upper sleeve 95 is configured to slide around rollerassemblies 86 of top rail 80, thereby further restricting movement ofguide sleeve 66 in the horizontal direction. The combination of rollerassemblies 86 and 88 with upper sleeve 95 and lower sleeve 96 alsoprevent guide sleeve 66 (and outer section 36) from rotating axially,thereby maintaining the axial orientation of outer section 36substantially fixed relative to inner section 34.

As shown in FIG. 12, and as discussed above, when outer section 36 isfully extended, track 72 is exposed. In the shown embodiment, innersection 34 also includes umbilical 112 retained by track 72 adjacent toback plate 84, where umbilical 112 is a flexible conduit configured tocontain electrical lines for powering auger motor 64. Umbilical 112 isconfigured to flex to follow the movement of outer section 36 along axis68, and is suitable for protecting the electrical lines from the grainsand other contaminants that reside in chamber 30.

FIG. 13 illustrates the engagement between extension drive assembly 50and guide sleeve 66. As shown, guide sleeve 66 includes gear track 114(shown with hidden lines) that are engaged with gear 94 of extensiondrive assembly 50. Accordingly, when drive motor 92 directs gear 94 torotate in a counter-clockwise direction as taken from the topelevational view shown in FIG. 13, the engagement between gear 94 andgear track 114 drives guide sleeve 66 via roller assemblies 86, 88, and90 along axis 68 in the direction of arrow 70 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3)to extend outer section 36 relative to inner section 34. Alternatively,when drive motor 92 directs gear 94 to rotate in a clockwise directionas taken from the top elevational view shown in FIG. 13, the engagementbetween gear 94 and gear track 114 drives guide sleeve 66 along rollerassemblies 86, 88, and 90 along axis 68 in the direction of arrow 73(shown in FIG. 4) to retract outer section 36 relative to inner section34.

The range of motion of outer section 36 relative to inner section 34 maytherefore be controlled by the rotation of gear 94. Furthermore, whenouter section 36 reaches a desired position (e.g., a retracted or fullyextended position), gear 94 may stopped, thereby locking outer section36 at the desired position. In some embodiments, inner section 34 and/orouter section 36 may also include one or more locking mechanisms tofurther assist in locking the position of outer section 36 relative toinner section 34. Additionally, in some embodiments, inner section 34and/or outer section 36 may include one or more hard stops to restrictthe range of motion of outer section 34 along axis 68.

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate a three-stage bin cleaning protocol using binsweep 10 in bin grain 12. As shown in FIG. 14A, bin sweep 10 may passacross the bin floor 18 to cover approximately an arc of 270 degrees asit moves in direction of arrow 40. At this first stage, outer section 36may be retracted, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, so that the grainengaged and collected during this first stage is illustratedschematically by area 116, which is the area between guide 28 and brokenline 116 a.

As shown in FIG. 14B, while bin sweep 10 continues moving along binfloor 18 in direction arrow 40, outer section 36 may be extendedrelative to inner section 34. The extension of outer section 36 maytakes place while bin sweep 10 is moving, and thus the arc swept by binsweep 10 becomes larger in radius over time. This second stage generallyextends for about 90 degrees, as illustrated in FIG. 14B. By the end ofthe second stage, bin sweep 10 has completed approximately one completerevolution of bin floor 18. The grain that has been engaged by bin sweep10 during the second stage is illustrated by area 118, which is the areabetween guide 28 and broken line 118 a.

As shown in FIG. 14C, when outer section 36 is fully extended, asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, bin sweep 10 may remain in itsfully-extended state for approximately one additional revolution aboutcentral axis 42. Area 120, shown in FIG. 14C between broken line 120 aand bin wall 14, illustrates the area of grain which generally had notpreviously been engaged by bin sweep 10, but are now engaged during itsthird stage of movement across bin floor 18. Of course, as desired ornecessary, additional partial or complete revolutions of bin sweep 10through chamber 30 may be necessary for complete removal of the grain.

In one embodiment, bin sweep 10 may also be used with a “bin wallfollowing” system. In this embodiment, after the second stage isinitiated, sensors mounted on outer end 58 of outer section 36 maycontrol the extension and retraction of outer section 36 to maintain aspecific distance between outer section 36 and bin wall 14. Thisembodiment is suitable for increasing the grain removal from a grain binthat is not truly circular, or that has a bin wall center offset fromthe central support framework.

The multi-stage deployment of the bin sweep illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14Cis just one example of how bin sweep 10 may be extend over time.Numerous other deployment arrangements may also be used. The arcstraversed during the three stages may be different from the270-degree/90-degree/360-degree arc arrangement. For instance, a360-degree/0-degree/360-arc arrangement may be used. In addition, binsweep 10 may be extended incrementally, thus adding additional stages tothe process. Also, in some instances more than two passes throughchamber 30 may be necessary to achieve the desired level of grainremoval.

The above discussion of bin sweep 10 is made in reference to grain bin12 having support framework 20. In alternative embodiments, bin sweep 10may be movably mounted to a central pivot, such as in a grain bin thathas no central support framework 20. In these embodiments, while binsweep 10 is still extendable and retractable, inner end 38 of innersection 34 may be mounted to pivot about central axis 42, and no guide28 in the form of a rail, tube, or the like is necessarily provided.

Furthermore, while bin 10 is illustrated for use in connection with acylindrical grain bin having a circular floor (i.e., grain bin 12),other storage bin configurations can also be swept using an extendablebin sweep of the present disclosure. For example, a storage bin havingan elongated shape such as a rectangle or oval may also be at leastpartially cleared of grain using bin sweep 10. In this situation, thearea traversed by bin sweep 10 may be dependent in some regard upon theshape of guide 28. For example, guide 28 may be formed as a half circle,or in a U-shape, or in an oval shape (or other suitable shapes) topermit controlled travel of bin sweep 10 across the floor of the storagebin.

When guide 28 is circular in form, as discussed above, sensors may beemployed as one means for detecting whether bin sweep 10 is skewed froma radial line relative to central axis 42, and an alignment controlsystem may then be used to realign bin sweep 10. In other words, binsweep 10 may be maintained perpendicular to a tangent of circular guide28 at the point where bin sweep 10 connects to guide 28. When the guideis non-circular, the alignment of the bin sweep relative to the guidemay be similarly regulated, via sensors that detect possible skew (i.e.,when the bin sweep is not perpendicular to a tangent of the guide at thepoint where the bin sweep connects to the guide) and a suitablealignment control system. In this regard, such skew sensing andalignment control is independent of whether bin sweep 10 is extendable.

Outer section 36 of bin sweep 10 may be extended or retracted asnecessary, such as to engage that grain which is disposed in the cornerof a rectangular or otherwise non-circular building. In this regard, theabove-discussed “bin wall following” system may be provided to controlextension and retraction of outer section 36, as a function of the shapeof the bin wall, as detected by a wall sensor disposed on outer end 58of outer section 36. In addition, if guide 28 alternatively includesstraight segments, tractors 52 and 54 may run at the same rate while binsweep 10 traverses those straight segments, but at different rates whenguide 28 is curved.

Although the present disclosure has been described with respect toseveral embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure.

1.-14. (canceled)
 15. A method for sweeping a storage bin, the methodcomprising: rotating a first auger about a first longitudinal axis,wherein the first auger is supported by a first section frame of a binsweep; rotating a second auger about a second longitudinal axis, whereinthe second auger is supported by a second section frame of the binsweep, the second section frame being operably engaged with the firstsection frame; moving the first section frame relative to a centralsupport framework of the storage bin to cover a first footprint of thestorage bin; extending the second section frame relative to the firstsection frame substantially along the second longitudinal axis; andmoving the first section frame relative to the central support frameworkto sweep a second footprint of the storage bin after extending thesecond section frame, the second footprint having a greater area thanthe first footprint for a given distance of movement of the firstsection frame relative to the central support framework.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein extending the second section frame relative to thefirst section frame substantially along the second longitudinal axiscomprises restricting movement of the second section frame relative tothe first section frame in at least one direction that is perpendicularto the second longitudinal axis.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereinextending the second section frame relative to the first section framesubstantially along the second longitudinal axis comprises moving aguide sleeve operably mounted to the second section frame along a trackoperably mounted to the first section frame.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein moving the guide sleeve along the track comprises rotating agear operably mounted to the first section frame that is engaged with agear track of the guide sleeve.
 19. The method of claim 15, whereinmoving the first section frame relative to the central support frameworkto sweep the first footprint and the second footprint each comprisesmoving the first section frame around a guide of the central supportframework.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein extending the secondsection frame relative to the first section frame substantially alongthe second longitudinal axis is performed while moving the first sectionframe relative to the central support framework.
 21. The method of claim19, wherein moving the first section frame around the guide comprisesmoving the first section frame on a circular path defined by the guide.22. The method of claim 19, wherein moving the first section framearound the guide comprises moving the first section frame on anon-circular path defined by the guide.
 23. The method of claim 15further comprising restricting movement of the second section framerelative to the first section frame in at least two directions that areperpendicular to the second longitudinal axis.
 24. The method of claim15 further comprising restricting rotational movement of the secondsection frame relative to the first section frame about the secondlongitudinal axis.
 25. The method of claim 15 further comprisingretracting the second section frame relative to the first section framesubstantially along the second longitudinal axis.
 26. The method ofclaim 15, wherein moving the first section frame relative to the centralsupport framework comprises moving the first section frame in a circulararc having a central axis.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the firstlongitudinal axis is aligned along a radial line relative to the centralaxis.
 28. The method of claim 15 comprising rotating the second auger ata different speed than rotating the first auger.
 29. The method of claim15 wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axisare substantially parallel.
 30. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising locking the second section frame at a desired positionrelative to the first section frame.
 31. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising moving the second section frame relative to the first sectionframe to maintain a specific distance between the second section frameand a wall of the storage bin as the first section frame moves relativeto the central support framework.
 32. The method of claim 15 wherein thefirst longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are notco-axial.
 33. A method for sweeping a storage bin, the methodcomprising: moving a first section frame relative to a central supportframework of the storage bin to cover a first footprint of the storagebin; extending a second section frame relative to the first sectionframe, wherein the second section frame is attached to the first sectionframe; and moving the first section frame relative to the centralsupport framework to sweep a second footprint of the storage bin afterextending the second section frame, the second footprint having agreater area than the first footprint for a given distance of movementof the first section frame relative to the central support framework.34. The method of claim 33 wherein: the first section frame is elongatedand has a first longitudinal axis; the second section frame is elongatedand has a second longitudinal axis; and the first longitudinal axis andthe second longitudinal axis are not co-axial.